Desperately need advice on an Upgrade!!!!

C

cyber_hawke

n00b
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Nov 24, 2006
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I use my PC at home primarily for games and entertainment. The system that I now have is getting outdated and the newer games will soon no longer play on it. I have an ASUS A7N8x2 MOBO, AMD Barton 2800 CPU and 1gb of 333 memory. I do have a AGP(?) 7600video card but recognize that I will have to replace it. I do have a new power supply Antec 450w, my DVD is new and I have 2 new HDs.

Is there such a thing as a cost/benefit sweet spot for PC hardware? My initial guidance was to go to an 939 setup with an Athlon 64 3800+, ASUS A8V (939), DDR PC3200 memory and a mid level video board. Someone has also suggested a C2D set up.

I don't mind spending about $1,000 and I am not hard over on that number. Considering that we will soon be seeing VISTA and DirectX10....what should I go to?

Also I compared the ATI X1950PRO with the BFG 7950GT....from a price perspective (at least on egghead) they are within $10. Is there any difference between the 2?

Thanks
 
A couple questions first: you going to be overclocking, ever? Are you going to use your current hard drives and opticals for now, or do you want new drives as well?

Also, if you want DX10 support, neither the X1950 Pro nor the 7950GT support it, and only the nVidia 8000 series currently support DX10. Both are fine cards though, but I think the 7950GT has a slight edge over the X1950 in performance.

Right now I'd probably start with an E6300...
 
meh, just got for the e6600. big boost in performance, and still pretty cheap, you won't regret it. and he's right, the 7950gt is a bit faster from what i read, but not much.
 
If I got what you said, then I should go with the C2D set up and start with a E6300 or E6600????

What Mobo would you recommend?

What RAM? (was thinking of 2x1gb 667 DDR2 PC5300)

That leaves me back with the video board, I won't be able to upgrade again for about a year, so should I bite the bullet and go for another video board? I was looking at the BFG 7950GT, but if I need to change it in a year or so anyway, rather do it now.....which card should I be considering or is DX10 still too far out to worry about???
 
You should definately go for a Core2Duo. The question is, what old parts will you be re-using, and what new parts are included in that soft $1000 budget? More detail on your current parts would also help.

Hmm... it looks like you should also replace that Antec 450W. Which model is it? Will you be needing a new case, too? If you kept your case (assuming it has adequate cooling), 2 new HDDs (assuming they're sata) and dvd drive, I'd go for something like this:

$180 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 Conroe 1.86GHz
$100 - Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express (review)
$200 - G.SKILL 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK (on sale)
$470 - ASUS EN8800GTS/HTDP/640M GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3
$50 - XClio GOODPOWER 500W ATX 500W
===========
$1000 + tax and shipping

And if you could afford it, you may want to bump that CPU up to the E6600 for $130 more. If you want some OC action above 3.2Ghz, get an aftermarket HSF:
$35 - Scythe SCNJ-1100P 120mm CPU HSF
$55 - Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler
 
The case is about 5 years old, I do have 3 fans installed to keep it cool, but it is a cheapie that came with my first system. Wouldn't mind swapping that out.

The DVD is a new writer/reader that I bought from egghead only 2 months ago. I thought I would keep that.

The power supply is an Antec 450W, about 3 years old

The HDs are a strange combo, more of a result of evolution than forethought. I have an 80GB Raptor (3 years old...that was my last upgrade) and a new 250 GB IDE from Western Digital that I use to back up the system, store pictures and videos.

Also, I am not really experienced enough to try overclocking....just want a solid performer while playing FPS. I did add the items to my newegg wish list.....what if I added around $500 to the upper limit, would you change anything?

and thanks for the help, all
 
What enginurd said (tho I not too sure bout that foxcon board :D ) anyway, actually with the much lower power dissipation of the core 2 duo cpus your PS is good. I running the rig in my sig below on 430W with no issues at all. You will need some molex to SATA power adapters and perhaps a molex to aux 12V just depends on how old the antec is and what it has for aux 12V.

I went from a barton on an NF-7 - core two is awesome, before installing all the fancy bits, I ran it with stock intel cooler and was able to OC to 2.8GHz easily and the performance was incredable compated to the old system. New SATA 3 GB/s HDs are cheap as dirt $60 for a decent one. You probally wont find a board that will take all your ide drives, bite the bullet and get SATA its cheap and soo much easier. Sell the raptor LOL. 2 x $60 SATA 3GB/s striped in Raid 0 will give the raptor a run for its money.

Most new c2d board only have one IDE port (2 devices) so the Burner and the WD drive could make it into the new system and actually would be fine for what you are using them for now.
 
E6600 for sure. I've heard nice reviews on a lot of mobos some to check out would be asus, gigabite, intel, and abit.

CPU-E6600 Intel Core Duo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115003
308usd

GPU-XFX 7950GT (570-1460)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814150189
250usd after 40usd mail in rebate

OR
eVGA 8800GTS
http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130071
480usd

Mobo- ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131031
207usd

Ram
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231087
200 usd after 40usd mail in rebate

total 1,005.97/1,199.37usd before shipping

If you wanted to add a 8800gts from eVGA to that package, they have a deal going with Intel core duo's right now and the price would rise slightly to 1,199.37usd before shipping. Which leaves money to your proposed budget of 1500usd to add power/case/w/e if you choose to go the 1500usd route. If you want to go the 1000usd route with a 8800gts go with his /\.
 
Don't get that board (ASUS P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe). That chipset runs hot, and if you want to get into OC'ing later on, you won't be able to. OC'ing is quite easy on these core2duos. This forum could help you with OC'ing once the time comes, so don't worry about it. Its better to keep OC'ing an option than to shut it out completely. Oh, and there's no need to sell the raptor.

Do you plan on ever going to an SLI/Crossfire Setup? If not, then there's no need for an expensive motherboard. All you'll need is a P965 Express chipset. Also, there is no need to pay nearly $175 for such a board unless you really need the featureset it offers. The Foxconn board is a great, stable board for people on a budget. And Foxconn is one of the largest OEM manufacturers in the world. They're just now starting their own brand for retail, but they've been making pc parts for a while. Since you raised your budget, what other features are you looking for? If you're looking just for a better name, the Gigabyte S3 is only $116. Its quality is similar to the foxconn - both are budget boards. Read the review link I posted with the foxconn board. Its a great value and it OC's as good as the P5B Deluxe, which costs $75 more (undoubtedly due to the 8-phase power design).

If you need firewire, go for the Asus P5B-E ($150). Though, a cheaper board plus a firewire 800 card would be better, since onboard firewire is only 400 and an 800 card is only ~$30.

With the added budget, I'd go for a faster CPU. While gaming performance depends more on the vidcard, who knows how well a $650 vidcard will perform with dx10 games and vista? While we assume its a great performer, nobody knows, yet. Also, since vidcards get updated every 6 months, they lose their value the quickest. I'd stick with the GTS and upgrade to something in about a year or two. The quicker you sell your card, the more money you could get for it to help offset the upgrade cost.

$308 - Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 Conroe 2.4GHz
$116 - Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$220 - OCZ Platinum Rev2 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2-800 OCZ2P800R22GK
$470 - ASUS EN8800GTS/HTDP/640M GeForce 8800GTS 640MB GDDR3
$130 - SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-550HT ATX12V/ EPS12V 550W
$90 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3320620AS 320GB 7200RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
$6 - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 3.5g
=============
$1340 + tax and shipping (after rebates)

Also, if you could wait until ATI releases their DX10 cards, I think that would be a better time to build, since the prices should lower quite a bit due to the competition. NVIDIA has the only DX10 card right now.

Oh yah, case options:
$55 - COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver w/ Side Window
$75 AR - Antec Performance I P180B Full ATX Tower
 
The only reason I chose the asus board is because they tend to be user friendly from my experience and from the sounds of things this guy doesn't have any plans to oc. That being said the gigabite is still a great board and so is that ram I would've chosen it but the buget changed my mind. I'd say you stick with that list. (y)

How is the asus warrenty? I know that eVGA has 2 years and also has a nice step up program. Plus the intel core duo 6600 and the eVGA 8800gts have a deal going right now for 10 less. But it only goes till 12/1.

Other then that minor detail I give the thumbs up on the rest of his list. Really though you should consider waiting a bit to see how things play out unless you need this for school or there is a game that you want to play right now or something like that.
 
reins said:
The only reason I chose the asus board is because they tend to be user friendly from my experience and from the sounds of things this guy doesn't have any plans to oc. That being said the gigabite is still a great board and so is that ram I would've chosen it but the buget changed my mind. I'd say you stick with that list. (y)

How is the asus warrenty? I know that eVGA has 2 years and also has a nice step up program. Plus the intel core duo 6600 and the eVGA 8800gts have a deal going right now for 10 less. But it only goes till 12/1.

Other then that minor detail I give the thumbs up on the rest of his list.
Click to expand...
Asus warranty is 3yrs. I didnt notice there was a combo deal, so go for the combo instead. eVGA has a lifetime warranty, not 2yr ;)

As far as user-friendliness, I consider Asus and Gigabyte about the same. Its mainly all in the user manuals provided and doesnt have much to do with the motherboards. Foxconn isn't known for their great manuals, lol, but if you choose it, the forum can help you with it. So, for $16 more, I expect better documentation from Gigabyte, hehe.
 
reins said:
After check my box again your are correct on that.

One last note from me, will the 8800gts fit in the antec? If it does then your clear to go and decide what you want to do. Enjoy!

EDIT: yes it will but you will have to take out your middle tray (=
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1115861
Click to expand...
From the antec website:
Main Board Size 12"(W)x9.6"(L)

From eVGA's product sheet:
length: 9in - 228.6mm

It should fit fine.
 
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